Distribution of the Jabiru in south-eastern Australia.

Abstract

The Jabiru appears to have been at the time of early settlement a definite resident of the Sydney district, and its range may have extended farther south. Consequent upon settlement its range was reduced and the bird disappeared from its southern limits in the Sydney and Hunter districts and possibly farther north. In the last 30 years a definite southward extension of the breeding range has taken place and the records at Shoalhaven and Bega indicate that this extension may still be progressing. The two records from Victoria are not considered attributable to this extension but probably represent vagrant wanderers. Despite this encouraging re-appearance of such a prominent (and therefore vulnerable) species, the actual numbers would appear to be small.